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Monday, May 18, 2009

HE--Or me?

My kids were walking ‘round in circles through a revolving door entrance to the dentist’s office awhile back. While it was great fun for them, the Lord used it as a much-needed teachable moment for me.

Just that morning, I was begging my Savior for a way out of my burned out and empty state. I’m so tired, God. I just don’t feel like I have anything left to give. Everybody wants a piece of me, and I just want them all to go away. I’m all used up.

As I stood there watching my kids—in, around and out—in, around and out—I realized that my thoughts had been like that revolving door lately, and the starting and finishing spot was myself.

Ministry—at home, online and at church---had become about ME. Not on purpose. Not in a self-serving way. But me, just the same: About how I could get everything finished, about how I should respond to all the needs, about how I was going to get around to replying to each person who needed a personal touch.

It snuck up on me, one complaining and whining thought at a time. The very things that God had called me to do in order to serve Him and bring glory to Him had become about me being able to do them all perfectly.

ME! Not He...

I thanked Him that very moment for answering my prayer, and He said “You’re Welcome” by reminding me of His Word in 1st Thessalonians 5:24: “The One who calls you is faithful, and HE will do it” (NIV, emphasis mine).

What does this mean for us, friends? Freedom!  It’s not up to us to fill every void that we see around us: HE will do that as we serve the way He asks us to, saying “no” or “yes” in obedience to His voice. It’s not up to us to solve everyone else’s problems: HE will be their Need Supplier and Fixer-Upper as we point them in His direction, being a part of the solution ONLY when He leads us to do so.

HE... Not Me!

Oh, how good He is—to use something as simple as a revolving door to remind me that HE is the One my thoughts should circle around. My Lord is to be my starting point, my ending goal, and the reason for serving every step in-between. HE is the One who will love my family and others through me. HE is the One who will be faithful to lead my ministries. HE is the One who will give me the energy I need to do every single thing He’s called me to do. Thank goodness it’s not up to me.

HE-- Not me.
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John 3:30, NIV




Selah~ Pause. Ponder. Praise.

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8 Comments:

Anonymous Becky said...

Your post was a good way to start a Monday morning. Thanks for the reminder that it really ISN'T all about us. Have a good week!

May 18, 2009 at 4:53 AM  
Blogger Laurie Ann said...

Awesome devotion, LauraLee. Thanks for pointing us to to the One that it's really all about.

May 18, 2009 at 2:40 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

Bless you for this my friend, love you.

May 18, 2009 at 6:24 PM  
Blogger Joanne Sher said...

Oh, yes, Laura. Such an AWESOME reminder. ALL about HIM!!

May 18, 2009 at 7:44 PM  
Blogger Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

Amen sister friend. Oh how we can get so weary when we try to it all in our strength!
Love you my friend.
Kim

May 18, 2009 at 7:59 PM  
Blogger Patty Wysong said...

Oh, Laura!
You really nailed it on the head! We (okay, me) get running in circles so fast and it's so constant that we miss when that initial consonant changes from an H to an m. It IS all about HIM and HE will do it. "...in obedience to His voice..." SO key!
Thanks, sweetie!!
Huggles!

May 20, 2009 at 9:44 PM  
Blogger Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Laura -

I enjoyed your devotion. It's so easy to take the weight of the world on our shoulders. Thanks for reminding me it's Him not me.

Blessings,
Susan :)
Your Facebook Friend

May 22, 2009 at 5:59 PM  
Blogger elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Freedom, indeed. I'm experiencing this more right now as I'm learning to, once again, let go of some parenting controls in order to allow my new graduate to develop some of the internal controls I've tried to instill in him over the years. It isn't easy; in fact, it's very hard, but there is freedom that comes to me because of obedience.

I know that he won't always get it right; I still struggle with "getting it right" some days. But I wouldn't have learned nearly as much had my parents kept a tight hold once I left home.

Thanks for this word tonight. I needed it.

peace~elaine

May 24, 2009 at 10:18 PM  

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